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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Vermont
Women's Soccer Downs Vermont, 3-1
September 23, 2007 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2007
Final Stats |
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AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts women's soccer team (5-0-1) remained undefeated on Sunday, defeating the University of Vermont, 3-1. All four goals were scored in the first half. This marks the first time since UMass joined the Atlantic 10 in 1993, that UMass has recorded an unbeaten non-conference record. Sydney Stoll, Kelsey Anderson, and Christina Nunes picked up the goals for the Minutewomen. UMass is back in action on Friday as they open up their conference slate at Saint Joseph's at 6:00 p.m.
"I don't even think about the unbeaten part," Head Coach Jim Rudy said. "I feel good about it; I'm rational and realistic about it. Not to diminish the other teams that we've played, but we haven't played a really, really strong schedule.
"Everyone we're playing is putting us under pressure; they're fighting and challenging," Rudy continued. "I'm happy to be where we are, and we're relatively healthy. We've got Christina Nunes back, which was her first serious time (today)."
Vermont drew first blood with a goal six minutes into the game, ending UMass goalkeeper Kristin Walker's shutout streak at 273:59. Jessica Becker came in on goal and beat Walker with a perfect shot to the lower left corner of the goal, giving the Minutewomen their first deficit all season.
Stoll answered right back for the Minutewomen 23 seconds later. She took a pass from Katie Ruggles, made a move past Vermont goalkeeper Eliza Bradley, and slid it into the empty net at 6:23.
Britt Canfield almost made it 2-1 when she went in all alone on goal at 12:45. She dribbled past the goalie and put a shot on goal, but a Vermont defender blocked the ball away.
UMass continued to keep up the pressure, taking the lead at 24:48, when Kelsey Anderson cleaned up a rebound and beat Bradley high. Jenny Roehrig and Canfield were credited with assists on the play.
Towards the end of the first half, the Minutewomen added insurance off a corner kick. Roehrig took the corner, and found Canfield in front of the net, who headed the ball to Nunes. She finished the nifty sequence by heading the ball into the net for the 3-1 lead. It was the first goal of the year for Nunes, who played in only her third game of the season coming back from an injury.
The second half went back and forth, with nether team able to keep up any sustained pressure. At the 64:21 mark, Vermont's Carson Laderoute had a clear path to the net, but Walker came out strong to make the stop.
UMass outshot the Catamounts 19-11. The game was extremely physical with 15 fouls called on Vermont to UMass' 14. Eliza Bradley made seven saves for Vermont while Walker had eight for the Minutewomen. Lauren Luckey saw action in the final 9:26, but did not see a shot come her way.
UMass opens up A-10 play on Friday as they travel to Philadelphia to play Saint Joseph's. The MInutewomen return home on Sunday, September 30, to host Duquesne at 12 noon.
